e member of
the gentlest society; and this is how it all came about.

On one grey Sunday morning a pretty smack came creeping through the
fleet. Far and near the dark trawlers heaved to the soft swell, and they
looked picturesque enough; but the strange vessel was handsomer than
any of the fishing-boats, and Jim's curiosity was roused. The new smack
was flying a flag at her masthead, but Jim could not read well enough to
make out the inscription on the flag. He said, "Who's he?" and his mate
answered, "A blank mission ship. Lot o' blokes come round preachin' and
prayin'."

"What? To our blank chaps? How is it I've never seen his blank flag
afore?"

"Ain't been werry long started. I heerd about 'em at Gorleston. Fat Dan
got converted board o' one on 'em."

Just then the smart smack shoved her foresail a-weather and hove-to;
then a small boat put out, and a stout grizzled man hailed Jim.

"What cheer, old lad, what cheer? Come and give us a look. Service in an
hour's time. Come and have a pot o' tea and a pipe."

I am grieved to say that Mr. Billings remarked, "Let's go aboard the
blank, and capsize the whole blank trunk."

Certainly he jumped up the side of the mission ship with very evil
intentions. Boat after boat came up and made fast astern of the dandy
vessel, and soon the decks were crowded with merry groups. Jim couldn't
make it out for the life of him. These fellows had their pipes and
cigars going; they were full of fun, and yet Jim could not hear an oath
or a lewd word. Gradually he began to feel a little sheepish, but
nevertheless he did not relinquish his desire to break up the service.
The skipper of the smack invited Jim to go below, and handed him a
steaming mug of tea.

"Where's your 'bacca?" said the skipper.

"Left him aboard."

"Never mind. Take half a pound and pay for it to-morrow. We sell the
best at a shilling a pound."

Jim gaped. Here was a decidedly practical religious agency. A shilling a
pound! Cheaper than the Copers' rubbish. Jim took a few pulls at the
strong, black tobacco, and began to reconsider his notion about smashing
up the service. He found the religious skipper was as good a fisherman
as anyone in the fleet; the talk was free from that horrible cant which
scares wild and manly men so easily, and the copper-coloured rowdy
almost enjoyed himself.

Presently the lively company filed into the hold, squatted on fish
boxes, and proceeded to make themselves comfortable. Tw